Not sure what scope to get for your air rifle?
Look no further.
I’ve tested ALL the best air rifle scope (plus air riflescope mounts and accessories.)
By the end of this guide, you’ll find the perfect optic for your air rifle.
Let’s get started!
What to Look for in Air Rifle Scopes
Are you in the market for an air rifle scope?
Of course you are!
But there’s more to these simple scopes than meets the eye. Which means I’ll be breaking down each scope and its features.
So which air rifle scope is your perfect match?
Keep reading to find out.
Basics of Air Rifle Scopes
These scopes are pretty much the same as a regular rifle scope. They magnify the image you’re aiming at and you’ll be on the same visual plane as your target.
Air rifles themselves are known for their amazing accuracy, so they’re a great addition to your regular range lineup.
But what makes air rifle scopes unique?
These scopes can withstand the double recoil and vibration of an air rifle. So that, plus your improved accuracy, makes the scope completely worth it.
Before we get into the good stuff, let me remind you to please never put a firearm scope on an air rifle. They’re not meant to be together, no matter how cool you may think that would be.
Now, here’s the two different types of air rifle scopes:
Fixed Air Rifle Scopes
The fixed air rifle scope is set to one magnification level. Which means it can’t be adjusted.
But what’s the advantage of a scope that can’t zoom in?
Once you’re sighted in, there’s almost no adjusting required.
So you can get to your target shooting much faster, which is something we can all celebrate.
And what kind of shooting is great for fixed scopes?
If you’re into hunting small rodents or other varmints at a closer range, this is the scope for you.
It’s also nice for the occasional short-range plinking session!
Variable Air Rifle Scopes
The variable air rifle scope can adjust magnification levels between 3-15x. So it offers a great amount of zoom power for shooting longer distances.
But is there a disadvantage to this scope?
Unlike the fixed scope, the variable scope will need adjustments more often while in use after sighting.
And what’s a great activity for this scope?
If you’re looking to hunt larger game at long-range distances, this is your match for an air rifle scope.
What’s the Deal with Objective Size?
Does objective size matter?
It always does!
When you’re looking for the best objective size lens for you, here’s two things to consider.
First, the larger the lens means better magnification.
Second, a larger lens allows more light to enter the scope. Thus, giving you a much brighter and clearer sight before your eyes.
So if you’re planning to use an air rifle scope in low light conditions, such as sunrise or sunset, pick out a larger objective lens.
To find the size of the objective lens, look at the last number in the scope description.
For example, the average variable scope is 3-9×32.
The first numbers before the ‘x’ indicate the magnification power. The number after that ‘x’ gives you the size of the objective lens.
So this scope can magnify between 3-9x and has a 32mm objective lens opening.
All About Mounting Hardware
Now that you’ve chosen your perfect air rifle scope, let’s mount that thing!
Every scope needs to connect to a firearm. So a one-piece or two-piece scope mount is used to fit around the scope. It’s then tightened onto a rail that sits on top of the air rifle.
Mounting is important. And you’ll need certain mounts for certain air rifles depending on the build or recoil power.
For a high-powered spring air rifle with a lot of recoil, I’d highly recommend a one-piece mount.
Why?
One-piece mounts are much stronger than two-piece mounts. They can also withstand more intense recoils from high-power air rifles.
For low-powered spring air rifles with a lot less recoil, a two-piece mount is perfect.
Other Types of Mounting Hardware
To get more specific about the mount you’ll need, check out these various types of mounts:
- High mounts are best for larger scopes because it allows the scope to sit higher on the gun. Only use these mounts for 50mm objective lenses and higher.
- Medium mounts are slightly smaller than high mounts. These mounts are perfect for 44mm objective lenses or less.
- Speciality mounts are required for some air rifles that need a unique mount to fit properly.
Also be aware of the size of your scope tube, which comes in 1 inch and 30mm sizes.
So make sure that the mount you need will also fit around the scope tube.
How to Find a Quality Air Rifle Scope
We all work hard for our money, so finding a high-quality scope is a game-changer.
But how do you find a high-quality scope that’s also worth your money?
Spend some time considering what you’d be willing to spend for a scope. Also think about how often you’ll use this scope and what kinds of shooting you’ll be doing.
After you’ve decided on what you think is a high-quality scope, consider buying one that’s a little bit of a step up in quality.
Why?
Because with air rifles and their scopes, you definitely get what you pay for.
For example, an air rifle scope can generally cost between $30 to $400 and beyond.
Now, I’m not telling you to go break the bank. There are affordable options, of course.
But if you’re looking to use an air rifle scope quite often, then I’d highly recommend buying one that will last you at least a couple of years.
Just like any other piece of equipment, you want it to work well and hold up to the test of time. So you may have to be willing to pay a little more than what you had planned.
But I promise you that it will be well worth it. Especially when you’re having a blast shooting off that air rifle and scope combo.
And there you have my best tips for finding your perfect air rifle scope.
Now go out there and find your perfect match!
Air Rifle Scope vs. Regular Rifle Scope
Despite appearing very similar on the outside, an air rifle scope and a regular rifle scope are built differently.
They are more than capable of being mounted on either type of gun, but doing so recklessly can quickly lead to a broken scope.
Learning the types of guns that can use either scope is important to make sure you’re not flushing money down the toilet by breaking the scopes. However, it’s still possible and sometimes useful to use a scope on the opposite gun.
I’ve done the research and put together a quick guide to show the pros and cons of each type of scope as well as when it’s safe to mount it on a different gun.
Let’s get started!
Differences
One of the biggest differences between the two scope types is how they handle recoil.
An air rifle recoils differently than a normal rifle, and will actually recoil forwards after the initial backwards recoil. This force is not taken into mind with normal rifle scopes, so the forward recoil will tear most rifle scopes apart.
This video takes a deeper look into why air rifles tend to destroy regular rifle scopes:
Parallax is another big difference between the two.
The set parallax for air rifle scopes tends to be around 10m, while many rifle scopes have theirs set around 100m. While air rifles can shoot further than 10m, the scopes are designed for the shorter distance shooting that they excel in.
At the end of the day, the scopes are designed for different types of guns. Unless a scope was specifically designed for both, there will be certain issues with magnification and accuracy due to the change in ammunition.
Similarities
Despite the significant differences in shooting bullets vs. air gun pellets, the scopes have several similarities.
Believe it or not, air rifle scopes are just as tough and durable as high end rifle scopes. In some cases they can even be heavier and thicker.
Air rifle scopes still function well on a regular rifle scope. The opposite is rarely true, but there are a few exceptions. Some companies will actually design their rifle scopes so that they can withstand the stress from the different recoil of an air rifle.
There is an exception if you mount an air rifle scope on a very powerful rifle. The powerful recoil will overwhelm the air rifle scope and break it. They aren’t designed to handle extreme force on one recoil, but rather the moderate force on two.
What This Means
While it’s tempting to save some money and swap the same scopes between different types of rifle, I don’t recommend it. There are plenty of great rifle scopes, and buying a proper one for each rifle can save you much future grief.
Some rifles are listed and designed to work with either one, but getting a scope specific to your type of rifle is always better.
The recoils vary considerably, so getting a scope that specializes in handling this is better than a scope that’s decent at it.
The different ammunition is also something to consider, as a bullet will travel much differently than an air gun pellet.
For the most part, regular rifle scopes will give you more accuracy over longer distances, while the air rifle scopes are better at closer ranges.
At the end of the day, it’s much cheaper to buy two scopes than it is to constantly break your current ones trying to make them work on different guns!
The 4 Best Air Rifle Scope
If you’re pressed on time, here’s a quick list of the best air rifle scope:
- Hawke Airmax Airgun Scope 2-7×32: Best Overall Scope for Air Rifle
- ATN X-Sight: Best for Night Shooting
- UTG 3-9X32: Best Scope under $100
- BSA Outlook 3-9X40: Best for the Budget
1. Hawke Airmax Airgun Scope 2-7×32: Best Overall Scope for Air Rifle
The Hawke Airmax 2-7×32 is the best scope I’ve come across for an air rifle.
This optic is a target shooters dream. With a specialty reticle and a huge operative range, there isn’t much you can’t do and do well with the Hawke Airmax.
Choosing a scope for an air rifle is a little bit different than choosing a firearm scope. For more info on what makes an air rifle scope different, check out this guide to air rifle scopes.
To see the best overall airgun optic on the market, keep reading…
Glass Clarity & Reticle
The glass clarity on the Hawke Airmax is fantastic.
The high quality glass is fully multi-coated in 16 layers, so I know it will stay as clean as it was when I took it out of the box.
What really impressed me was the glass-etched reticle. The Hawke Airmax scope uses an AMX reticle,, which was specifically designed for air rifles. The mil-dot reticle floats comfortably in the center of the sight picture. It’s easy to see and kept me on target anywhere from 10 to 100 yards.
The Airmax is optimized for target shooting. It is a serviceable option for varmint hunting, but if that’s your primary objective, check out my first choice for varmint hunting.
Eye Relief & Eye Box
The eye relief is 3.5 inches, which is generous in my book.
The wide eye box made it easy for me to find my target fast.
Durability
The Hawke Airmax Scope is lightweight, durable and best of all, nitrogen purged.
Why does that matter?
Nitrogen purging ensures the scope is 100% waterproof shatterproof and fog proof.
The only issue I had with the design is the lens cap. I found it a little flimsy and hard to maneuver with one hand, so I replaced it with a Butler Creek lens cap.
Elevation & Windage Knobs
The turrets are perfect for in field adjustment.
The Hawke Airmax has extra large turrets that feel good in the hand, and turn easily with a satisfying click. Each click is .25 MOA which makes it easy to get a fine zero. It held zero like a champ.
Parallax & Magnification
The 2-7x magnification is a lot to work with.
I feel confident about taking this to a competition anywhere up to 100 yards. The image is clean, and the parallax turret is east to adjust.
I like this scope for long range target shots, but the variable magnification works perfectly anywhere above ten yards out with no tunneling.
If you are looking for a lower range fixed magnification scope you might want to look into a rimfire scope instead.
Mounting & Rings
To mount the Hawke Airmax, you will need a 1-inch dovetail or pic rail mount kit. I used these Hawke dovetail rings.
You will need a hex screw, which you probably already have. In case you don’t, Winchester makes a nice gun screw set.
Is the Hawke Airmax Airgun 2-7X32 worth it?
The Hawke Airmax is one of the best scopes out there for competition air rifles.
It’s priced surprisingly low for such a great optic. What makes it my top choice is…
- Lightweight build
- Audibly clicking turrets
- Non-telescoping magnification
- Specialty AMX reticle made for air rifles
And of course, Hawke backs up their quality promises with a no-fault lifetime warranty, so you can shoot with confidence. If you take your sport seriously, I highly recommend giving the Hawke Airmax Airgun Scope 2-7×32 a try.
2. ATN X-Sight: Best for Night Shooting
The ATN X-Sight 4K Pro is the best sight for night shooting.
In fact, I purchased this optic strictly as a night scope for hog hunting. After seeing how it tremendously improved my accuracy, I kept it on my AR-15 and tested its performance during casual target shooting and deer hunting.
By the end of this review, you’ll know if the ATN X-Sight is for you.
Let’s dive in!
Image Clarity & Reticle
The image quality is bright and clear.
The ATN X-sight is equipped with several reticle patterns and color options, which makes shooting easy. It doubles as both a digital daytime optic and a night vision scope: definitely worth its price tag.
Speaking of night vision…
The X-Sight 4K PRO sports an Enhanced HD NV Mode. I’m certainly seeing a higher quality than other “Night Vision” scopes, including the units that cost thousands of dollars more than the ATN X-Sight.
Although the scope does come with an IR attachment light, I chose to upgrade it with the ATN IR850 SUPERNOVA IR Attachment.
Take my word: it was worth every penny. I was hitting small game at night out to 300 yards without issues.
The ATN X-sight also features a built-in rangefinder and ballistic calculator that’s amazingly accurate.
You just enter your gun and ammo specifications via the ATN Obisidian App on your smartphone, and it takes into account everything that affects your trajectory, including— Relative Humidity, Wind Speed, Wind Direction, Temperature, Barometric Pressure, and Elevation.
Recording and Streaming
Recording videos with the X-Sight 4K Pro came out to be very clear at 10X zoom. Unfortunately, the quality started degrading as I was approaching full zoom. This isn’t uncommon with digital scopes, though.
I did extensive research before buying this scope and found that most shooters who have issues with the product freezing or being pixelated don’t understand the technology.
Make sure you read the instructions on the manual thoroughly and make sure to upgrade the firmware to the latest version.
Also, you can easily google any problem and find a solution- just like you would do with an iPhone.
Moving on, let’s talk about the Recoil Activated Recording (RAV) feature. This was super helpful to me. I didn’t have to worry about pressing the record button every time.
Why?
Because as soon as the X-sight detects recoil, the RAV feature automatically saves that 10-second snip before the shot and 10 seconds afterward.
The videos are stored on the removable micro SD Card for viewing at a later time. The dual streaming option also allows you to simultaneously record and Livestream your hunts. How cool is that?
Eye Relief & Eye Box
The eye relief is excellent, ranging from 3-3.5 inches.
On the flip side, the ATN X-sight’s eye box is a bit narrow.
The 3-14x scope has 460 ft field of view at 1000 yards, while the 5-20x version has 240 ft.
Durability and Battery
This ATN X-Sight is very durable, and the buttons are tactile. The ruggedness reminded me of the battle-tested ACOGs.
The X-sight doesn’t get damaged if left out in the sun, nor does it have to be protected from light exposure, unlike other regular night vision scopes.
The entire unit weighs about 2.2 lbs, which tips the heavier side of the scale, but compared to an AR-10 with a standard scope, the weight difference is about the same.
It took about six hours to fully charge. However, once fully charged, it is said to provide a continuous use of up to 18 hours.
It ran it for about 12 hours on the range, and the battery indicator wasn’t even at the halfway mark, so I’d say ATN advertises the battery life accurately.
Zeroing
Zeroing was remarkably easy thanks to the ‘One Shot Zero’ feature. All you need to do is take one shot, align it with the crosshairs, and push a button. This is extremely helpful if you’re a beginner.
It took me less than 20 rounds using the .308 Winchester to get it perfectly zeroed.
My personal favorite feature is the Profile Manager. Essentially, you can save multiple zeroing-in data for different firearms and ammo. You can easily switch weapons without having to reset everything. This saved me a lot of time in the range.
Magnification
This ATN X-Sight 4k Pro can be purchased with two magnification options: 3-14x50mm and 5-20x65mm.
Which one should you get?
Get the 3-14x50mm if your target range is between 25-250 yards. BUT if you plan on zooming in, you will lose a lot more clarity with the 3×14 than the 5×20.
So if you’re shooting out past 250 yards frequently, I recommend getting the 5-20x65mm model.
Mounting & Accessories
Fortunately, ATN has eased the hassle of a complicated setup.
The ATN X-Sight comes with a versatile mounting system that includes standard rings, an L shape ring, and a Picatinny rail. Simply pick the right ones for your needs.
It took me less than 10 minutes to mount the scope on the Hardened Arms 16-inch 7.62x39mm AR-15 upper.
Word of advice: make sure your mounting screws stay tight. I check mine every time I go to the range. They haven’t come loose yet, but it’s good to keep on top of it.
The sight also comes with a heap of accessories, including:
- Eyecup
- Sunshade
- Lens cover
- UBS-C cable
- Cleaning cloth
Is the ATN X-Sight 4k Pro worth it?
The days of breaking the bank to have an excellent night vision scope are over. The ATN X-sight is a game-changer.
Why? It’s got:
- One-shot zero
- 4K UltraHD Sensor
- Excellent Night Vision
- Long-lasting battery life
- Recoil Activated Recording
- 3-14x or 5-20x magnification
- Fog proof, dustproof, and fully waterproof
- Built-in Smart Rangefinder & Ballistic Calculator
- 1080p HD Video Recording & Photos to your smartphone
Plus, the scope comes with ATN’s 2-year warranty for returns and repairs, the accessories are covered for one year, and the battery for six years.
For under $1000, the ATN X-Sight 4K Pro displays exceptional quality and value for day and night shooting.
3. UTG 3-9X32: Best Scope under $100
I love the UTG 3-9X32, and you will too.
It has a wonderful reticle, easy adjustment, and includes everything.
If you’re looking for a budget scope, this is the one.
Read on to find out why.
Glass Clarity & Reticle
The image is bright even at high magnification, though I have noticed a little darkening after sunset at 9x power.
The lenses are multi-coated in emerald green to increase light transmission as much as possible, and it works well.
There is a little tickle of distortion right at the edge of the field of view, but not a big deal to me.
You can change the color to red or green, but even if your battery dies you still have the regular black reticle. I bring extra CR1620 batteries in the field with me.
The UTG 3-9X32 reticle is also very usable for a mil-dot. There are nine dots in any direction, giving plenty of different points of aim without the need to touch a turret.
Eye Relief & Eye Box
The eye relief is listed as 3-4 inches, so you need to stay inside that range to get a clear image.
This is probably the one con of the scope, but for my 30-06, it isn’t an issue at all. That’s right where I had the Leupold mounted before moving it to another rifle.
It can be a problem if you have a target 22 and you like to snuggle with your optic. Overall though, I would say that the eye relief is just about right for most shooters.
(If you like it longer or shorter you might want to check out these Ruger 10/22 optics.)
Durability
The UTG 3-9X32 BugBuster is nitrogen purged and built around a framework of strength over all else.
I have yet to have any issue with it holding zero. It literally needs to come loose from the rail to throw it off, and I love that in a scope.
It’s never fogged or given me any kind of problem, even on wet mornings hunting rabbits in 40 degree weather over snow from the previous day.
The caps and sunshade are a bonus, and they help to keep everything well protected and dust free until you are ready to take your rifle out to the field.
UTG has something they call a “True Strength” platform that their scopes are built around, something about the way the pieces inside fit together to keep things in alignment. Whatever it is, it works. My hunting rifle stays on target season after season, and it hasn’t let me down yet.
Elevation & Windage Knobs
The bad news is the knobs require an allen key to adjust.
The good news is that all of the required hardware for the scope is included, even the wrench for the windage and elevation knobs.
Actually I lied, you don’t need to wrench to adjust them in the field, just for zeroing in at the range. The wrench loosens a securing bolt and allows the turret cap to spin freely, so once you are dialed in you can set your tick marks to zero.
This is becoming a pretty common feature on scopes, but in case you are wondering, it allows you to adjust for windage or elevation in the field and then return the knobs to zero without counting clicks.
Speaking of clicks, the adjustments on the turrets are ¼ MOA. Perfect for long-range shooting, whether in competition or hunting mountain goats across a wide canyon.
And yes, there’s a very satisfying click when you turn them.
Parallax & Magnification
Magnification of the UTG 3-9X32 BugBuster is straightforward. Just twist the power ring near the turrets and go, like any other scope.
There is an added bonus that a diopter adjustment comes with a lock. Once you have the reticle clarity set for your eyes, there’s no need to touch it ever again.
Parallax on the BugBuster is adjustable on the end of the scope. That is, where the objective lens is located. A quick twist sets you up anywhere from infinity to as close as three yards.
I’ve dialed in the parallax to the required setting, looked through while moving my head about with the rifle in a rest, not a single problem. The reticle follows the target.
Mounting & Rings
Everything is in the box, even the mounts. I don’t think I need to tell you what a relief that was. Shopping for rings is my least favorite part about being a shooter.
The rings also come with quick-detach mechanisms and fit on Weaver or Picatinny rail systems. If you are going to be dressing up your little black rifle with a long-range scope, you won’t have to shop around for detachable rings.
And what’s more? They’re pretty darn sturdy. Torture tests are conducted by UTG for durability under normal wear-and-tear conditions, and the rings are built just as rugged as any I’ve seen. I think I said earlier, and I’ll repeat it here, I’ve never yet had to re-zero this scope.
Is the UTG 3-9X32 worth it?
This scope is for long-range shooters who want a quality piece of glass at an affordable price range.
The key features of this scope are:
- 9 mil-dots
- ¼-MOA clicks
- Illuminated reticle
- Easy turret adjustment
- Quality glass on a budget
- All hardware and tools included
- Parallax adjustment down to 3 yards
It’s hard to beat this scope for less than 100 clams. I’ve tried almost every budget scope on the market, and found most of them severely lacking. But the UTG 3-9X32 BugBuster gets the job done and does it amazingly for the price.
It also comes with a lifetime warranty.
If you want to put a powerful scope on your rifle, the UTG 3-9X32 is what you need.
4. BSA Outlook 3-9X40: Best for the Budget
The BSA Outlook 3-9×40 is the best scope on a budget.
In fact,
There might not be a lot of flashy features on this scope, but the ones it has I’m ready to compare to optics worth 3x the price.
Keep reading to find out…
Glass Clarity & Reticle
I never would have guessed this scope’s price tag looking through the glass.
The image through the scope is crisp and clear.
For a sub-$100 scope, the glass is incredible. The fully multi-coated lenses are a premium feature that deliver a crisp, clean image.
I will say that at the highest magnification settings, there is a minimal amount of fisheye around the outside of the image. However, it’s hardly noticeable unless you’re looking for it.
The BSA Outlook is outfitted with a simple MIL dot reticle.
I only say simple, because the MIL dot reticle is visible clean without a complex system to distract your eye. In reality, the MIL dot reticle can do so much for the shooter in a small space.
I’m a big advocate for the MIL dot reticle, because, at a glance, you can judge wind, bullet drop compensation, range, and target size regardless of your rifle caliber.
It’s ideal for long-range shooters, varmint hunters, and tactical marksmen.
The BSA Outlook’s reticle is also on a second focal plane, meaning the reticle grows or shrinks with magnification. It’s easy to see at all magnifications for fast and fearless target acquisition.
Eye Relief & Eye Box
This scope has a solid 3.7-4 inches of eye relief. Plenty of space to avoid injury to the eye in case of a strong kickback from the firearm.
The eye box is also forgiving, not causing my eyes to fatigue like other cheap optics.
Durability
Break barrels are brutal on a scope, and I’ve had my fair share of optics eaten up by high recoil. So when my BSA Outlook was still kicking after over 800 rounds, I was more than impressed.
The one-piece constructed optic body from durable, lightweight aluminum is built to withstand serious recoil from even the most powerful air rifle.
It’s the whole durable trifecta of waterproof, shockproof, and fog proof construction.
The low-glare, matte black finish is not only stylish but also helpful when you need to camouflage your position when hunting close-range.
Elevation & Windage Knobs
The low profile elevation and windage turrets have crisp, positive clicks.
Adjustment turns very smoothly on everything from the turrets to the adjustable objective. They’re especially nice for scope in this price range
They do have on flaw though: the hash marks don’t line up exactly on the turrets and each line is offset by a fraction of a hair.
However, they’re still accurate to the ¼” MOA adjustment, and I’d take that over loose adjustments.
Zeroing was easy once I got on paper. And with only a few adjustments on the turrets, the scope has held zero for over 800 pellets.
Parallax & Magnification
So, how much magnification do you get? A very versatile 3x-9x.
At 3x, the image is crystal clear.
As the optic reaches max magnification, there is a minimal amount of fisheye and blur on the outer edges of the image. However, the imaging is still lightyears ahead of other scopes in its price bracket.
This broad magnification range increases accuracy for short to medium ranges with absolutely no parallax at all.
Here’s how I know:
I took my laser range finder and started testing at 10, 20, then 30 yards to verify focus and parallax settings. The marks were good, and I’m more than impressed by the results.
It’s a solid 10 to infinite parallax adjustable scope.
Mounting & Rings
The BSA Outlook comes with its own two-piece dovetail rings. They’re solid with four bolts in each ring.
A set of rubber lens caps are also included to increase the longevity of your lens’ lifetime.
Is the BSA Outlook 3-9×40 worth it?
If you’re looking for an affordable scope that offers versatility and durability for even the highest recoiling air rifle, then the BSA Outlook is my recommendation.
Here’s why:
- MIL Dot reticle
- Included dovetail rings
- Fully multi-coated lenses
- Limited one-year warranty
- Tactile hand turn/zero reset turrets
And the bonus is it won’t break the bank.
If you’re looking to ring steel without losing a chunk of change, the BSA Outlook 3-9×40 is the air rifle scope for you.
Now It’s Your Turn
I hope you enjoyed my best air rifle scopeguide.
Now I want to turn it over to you:
Which scope will you pick for your air rifle?
Let me know by leaving a quick comment down below.
